Compare Best of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand by Himalayan Glacier Adventure vs Beauty of Vietnam and Cambodia 15 days by Vietnam LVP Travel

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International airport, a company representative will pick you up from the airport and drive you to your hotel in Hanoi Central which will take almost an hour. You can spend the rest of the day in leisure. Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Lan Vien (ROH))

Day 2: Hanoi City tour

This full day tour takes us around Hanoi’s most interesting sights; including the Ho Chi Minh Complex: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and his Stilts House, Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. The next stop is the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam. Then we drive to peaceful West Lake with lovers street Thanh Nien, the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. In the afternoon, we visit one of the city’s museums, either the History Museum or the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Later we will tour the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets and guilds. Today we also tour Hoan Kiem Lake – the Lake of the Restored Sword and Ngoc Son Temple. We end today’s tour with a visit to the unique Water Puppet Show in Thang Long Theater.

Note: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays, Fridays and every afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Lan Vien (ROH))

Day 3: Hanoi to Halong Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Cruise (Huong Hai Sealife (Suite))

After early breakfast we begin our four hours drive through the beautiful country side to Halong bay. We set out on our cruise from Bai Tu Long Bay area. During the cruise, we get to enjoy the beautiful islands, namely Tea pot, Mat Quy –Monster Face, Yen Ngua, Man’s Head, Tortoise and many others. Today we also have a bit of fun outside our ship and explore Hang Sung Sot, one of the largest and most famous cave in the entire Halong Bay. We continue cruising through limestone islands and stop at Ti Top Island where we can enjoy swimming or walking up to the summit and admiring a fantastic view of the Halong Bay. In the evening, you will attend the chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking. Later you can relax or try squid fishing. Overnight on board.

Day 4: Halong Bay to Hanoi then fly to Saigon (Brunch)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Grand Luxury Wing)

There will be a Tai Chi session on the sundeck early in the morning. After breakfast we can enjoy the tranquil lagoon at Luon cave by a traditional rowing boat or by kayaking. Drive back to Ha Long city from where your driver will take you to the airport from where you will fly to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.

The itinerary above is operated by Huong Hai Sealife and thus may be altered depending on the weather without prior notice.

Day 5: Saigon: Chu Chi tunnels, city tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Grand Luxury Wing)

Today we visit the famous Chu Chi tunnels in the morning. This network of tunnels, which stretched for over 200km, became legendary during the 1960s. Next, drive back to Saigon and visit several landmarks of the city which is by far Vietnam’s most modern city. Observe some of the best examples of French colonial architecture represented in the forms of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. We will also tour The Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 and The War Remnants Museum which has a wealth of images from the wars. End today’s tour with a visit to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, a fantastic place for bargains of every kind!

Day 6: Cruise Cai Be floating market then drive to Can Tho

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Victoria Can Tho (Superior))

After breakfast we drive through the Mekong Delta to the town of Cai Be which is well-known for its floating market. Next, enjoy a cruise along the waterways and canals labyrinth before stopping at the home of a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, including the popular meal of ‘Elephant ear fish’. We continue exploring the tributaries and canals of the delta throughout the afternoon before leaving for Can Tho city for a good night’s sleep.

Day 7: Can Tho to Cai Rang floating market, My Tho then drive back to Saigon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Grand Luxury Wing)

After breakfast we take a boat to Jin In and explore the floating market of Cai Rang which is another exciting floating market in the Mekong Delta. Later, drive to My Tho where we visit Vinh Trang Pagoda which is one of the best-known temples in the region before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 8: Fly to Siem Reap, tour Angkor Wat

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Tara Angkor Hotel (Superior))

After arriving at Siem Reap, Cambodia, we begin our tour of Cambodia’s 12th century capital of Angkor Thom. We begin by visiting South Gate which has huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean. Bayon Temple is known for its unique 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara. We also visit the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, we visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor, Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Next, enjoy a wonderful sunset from the Phnom Bakheng Hills. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 9: Siem Reap: Angkor Complex

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Tara Angkor Hotel (Superior))

Today, we visit the 10th century temple of Banteay Srei Temple regarded as one of the crown jewels of classical Khmer Art. Then, we will continue our visit to Banteay Samre, which was built in the third quarter of the 12th century. In the afternoon, we will visit the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, then see Srah Srang (“The Royal Baths”) which was once used for ritual bathing. Then it’s off to Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Ta Keo (constructed in the late 10th and early 11th century) and Ta Prohm (one of the area’s most beautiful temples). Overnight in Seam Reap.

Day 10: Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake then fly to Bangkok,Thailand

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel (Centre Point Pratunam)

After breakfast, we will take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake to visit floating villages (complete with schools, restaurants, and hospitals), and then visit the school known as “Les Artisans d’Angkor.” We will then transfer to Siem Reap international airport for our flight to Bangkok. Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 11: Bangkok: city sightseeing

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel (Centre Point Pratunam)

Today we tour Bangkok’s most prominent landmarks beginning with Pak Klong Talad, a bustling around the clock market. Then we take a short Tuk Tuk ride to Saranrom Royal Garden where we can relax and learn about a variety of Thai plants. Next, visit the Royal Regalia Museum and admire beautiful jewelry, which used to be ornaments of the royal officers and consorts. Our next stop is the temple of The Emerald Buddha held by all Thais as the symbol of national independence. In the afternoon, we take a long-tailed boat along the Chao Phraya River and get acquainted with the local lifestyle. We pass through the Grand Palace and pay a brief visit to the Royal Barge Museum which houses ceremonial King’s Barges decorated with multi-color glasses, gilt and stuccos. Our boat ride ends at Wat Arun, the temple of Dawn. Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 12: Final Departure

Meals: Breakfast

We have no activities planned for today. A representative of the company will transfer you to Suvarnabhumi Airport for your onward flight.

Day 1

Hanoi Arrival

Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport, our driver will meet you and take you to hotel in Ha Noi Old quarter. You will have free time to discover Hanoi Old quarter and 36 streets. Overnight stay at hotel

Day 2

Bai Dinh Pagoda– Trang An Tour (B/L)

Trang An Tourism Complex (located in the northern province of Ninh Binh) is one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee lists. The eco-attraction which located in the East of Ninh Binh with an area of 2000 ha, divided into 5 main parts: special protection area (Hoa Lu Ancient Captial), the center, caves area, service and travel area, spiritual area – Bai Dinh pagoda. Bai Dinh pagoda is well known as one of the biggest Pagodas and has got the most statues in Vietnam.Trang An – Bai Dinh tour is one of the popular tours in the festival of the Vietnamese people after the Luna New Year holiday.

• 8:00 – 8:30 AM: We pick up guests from hotels located in the Old Quarter. The drive to Ninh Binh will be approximately 2 hours.
• 10:30 AM: Our tour guide will take you to Bai Dinh Pagoda, which has hundreds of Buddhist statues including the biggest statue of Buddha made in bronze standing 10 meters tall.
• 12:30 PM: Time to take a break and have lunch at a local restaurant with Ninh Binh traditional dishes from goat meat.
• 1:30 PM: We will continue the trip to Trang An. Upon on arrival, we will take the boat trip along Trang An river to enjoy the cave complex. The scenery of Trang An is a unique combination of deep turquoise river water between mountains, water caves and clear blue sky where you will not find anywhere else. The boat trip will range from 2 to 3 hours, rowed by local people. After the trip, you will be transferred to local homestay in Ninh Binh. Having great time for relaxing in that peaceful village

Day 3

Explore Bai Tu Long Bay – Thien Canh Sơn – Cap La (B/L/D)

• 10h30: Pick you up from Ninh Binh . Drive to Ha Long City through the green fields in the Red River Delta.

• 12h00: Embark at Ha Long wharf – Break and photography time

• 12h30: Boat Cruises on Halong, enjoy a welcoming drink and cruise briefing.

• 13h30: Have lunch while cruising in Bai Tu Long Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.

• 15h30: Transfer by tender to Thien Canh Son cave. Our tour guide will take you to a huge cave with many interesting stalactite and stalagmite in different amazing shapes …. After about half an hour visiting, you will go back to tender and return to the boat. Then return to cruise for your leisure or join sunbathing, enjoy swimming in the crystal clear water. Join with cooking class by our chef.

• 19h00: Vietnamese style set dinner is served on board.

• 21h00: Take some leisure time to enjoy chatting at the bar or enjoy some night fishing. Stay overnight on boat.

Day 4

Vung Vieng floating village by Bamboo boat (B/L) – Night train to Da Nang

• 07h30: Have breakfast and enjoy sunrise on the bay.

• 09h00: Visit ancient Vung Vieng floating village you are not only be immersed in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere, but also be surrounded by the rocky mountains by small bamboo boat for an hour in to the ancient village then return to cruise for relaxing and check out the room.

• 10h30: Have lunch while cruising back through Ha Long Bay to the pier

• 11h30: Disembark at Ha long wharf, time to say goodbye to the crew.

• 12h00: Return from Ha Long to Hanoi.

• 14h00: Stopover on the way for a refreshment break.

• 16h00: Arrive in Hanoi. End of the trip.

You will finsh the trip and come back hotel at 4 pm, there is free time for your own and prepare for night train to Da Nang. You should prepare for some snaks for night train.

Train takes about 16 hours from hanoi to Da Nang city with soft sleeping beds on train. You will see the local sountryside during this journey with rice field, mountain, river and he how beautiful and peaceful Vietnam is. Overnight on the train

Day 5

Da Nang Arrival – Transfer to Hoi An

You will reach Da Nang about 1 pm, then transferring to Hoi An for stay. Free time then in Hoi An.

Day 6

A Day of Being A Local (B/L)

Would you like to go fishing with the local fisherman? Why don't you have a fun experience with the funny basket boat. You shouldn't have any hesitance because the day will put a broaden smile in your face. It is very interesting to fish here on the river with the local fisherman as you catch your fish and we cook for you.

On the Fishermen & the Waterways of a Past War Tour you will enjoy a wide range of experiences - from learning traditional fishing techniques to paddling the strange and unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats while exploring the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war. On this tour we provide an authentic social and cultural insight into the local Vietnamese way of life. As well you will take part in some hands-on activities that are fun, safe and interesting to people all of ages. Start of the tour at 8:00 am, pick up from your hotel lobby. (Meals: breakfast, lunch)

Day 7

Marble Moutains And Monkey Montain – Morning tour (B/L) – Flight to Ho Chi Minh

7.30 - 8.00 AM: We’ll pick you up at hotel and transfer to Da Nang city (around 30km).

8.30 AM: Arrive in Marble Mountains and stop for a walk along the site to see local factories of stone sculptures - the most impressive handicrafts village in Da Nang.

9.00 - 10.30: Check in the Marble Mountains by climbing up to the top (elevator is optional). Here we will see beautiful pagodas which were made from 19th century by the last dynasty of Viet Nam monarchy, and visit Huyền Không and Tàng Chơn caves.

10.30 - 11.00: Keep going to see the biggest fascinated cave named as Âm Phủ. You will learn interesting philosophies of Buddhism and take photos with amazing natural creation.

11.00: Have lunch at local restaurant with local and authentic Vietnamese cuisines.

11.45: Our van will transfer you to the next stop - Monkey Mountain. A giant statue Lady Buddha with beautiful background such as mountains and huge garden of bonsai would draw your attention. You will definitely get lost in the garden of heaven with gripping stories when gently walking and enjoy a fresh breeze.

13:00: Tour ends and we will head back to your hotel. You will have short rest at hotel before transferring to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh. Our driver will take you from airport and transfer to hotel. Free time for your own leisure then, overnight stay at hotel

Day 8

Cu Chi Tunnels (B)

Located 60km from HCMC, Cu Chi is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists - the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens.

Today, ducks and water buffalos happily co-exist in the rivers along the side of the road. However, the peaceful rural rice paddy scenery belies the area’s violent history. Visitors will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage & defoliation over this whole area, caused by bombing and mines. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a "Free Target Zone".

Start our tour in the morning, before entering the tunnels visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. You will spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war). Return to Sai Gon.

Day 9

HCMC - My Tho - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B/L)

Pick up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh city and start the trip to My Tho. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which sated back to the late 19th century. Then boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.

Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking in the village paths to contemplate orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, and Vietnamese folk music performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation.

Be rowed in a small sampan through the Thoi Son canal and treat yourself to the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business & bee-keeping farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop. Have lunch at the local restaurant. Break time.

The afternoon is time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meeting the local people to experience their daily life in the Mekong delta. Relaxing on hammocks to enjoy the cool breeze is for those do not want to join the cycling trip. Proceed to Can Tho City and overnight in Can Tho (hotel or homestay available both)

Day 10

Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market – HCMC (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a leisure boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River (Bassac River) then visit to Cai Rang floating market which is the liveliest one in the whole of region.

Walking trip to visit the fruit plantation and local noodle factory. Visit Binh Thuy communal house and Munir Ansay Pagoda - a Khmer pagoda, renowned for its unique structure. Have lunch and return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 11

Ho Chi Minh - Express bus to Phnom Penh (B)

After breakfast, you will have free time then taking an express bus to Phnom Penh. Bus takes around 5.5 hours to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, we will transfe you to hotel for check in. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12

Phnom Penh Tour (B) – Private tour

We start to visit Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha, we continue to visit the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art - notably sculptures - throughout the ages. Afternoon, we continue to visit Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed. Then drive to visit the “Killing Fields” of Choeng Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh). Between 1975 and 1978 about 17,000 men, women, children and infants (including nine westerners) were detained and tortured at the S-21 prison and transported to extermination camp of Choeng Ek. We spend the rest of time at Phnom Penh’s Psar Toul Tom Pong, known as the Russian Market, a great place to hunt for souvenirs, curios, and silks. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 13

Phnom Penh (B) – Bus to Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel - Pick up from the hotel to the bus station. Then you will take bus to Siem Reap. Transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14

Siem Reap Tour (B) – Private tour

Breakfast at hotel: Start your sightseeing tour of Angkor area we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple and the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15

Departure (B)

Breakfast at hotel, free time for your own leisure till our LVP Travel Vietnam driver come to pick you up to airport for departure flight back home. Trip ends